Early this year, she used fashion for intensifying efforts to make our planet green. This time round for the New York Fashion Week, Premal Badiani, an Indian-American haute couture designer, is extending support to breast cancer survivors. She is encouraging them to embrace womanhood with confidence and a touch of sensuality. Survivors will be walking the ramp on September 8.
The U.S.-based designer has used her first hand experience to create the collection Valencia, which means brave.
“Having lost a dear one to breast cancer, this cause is extremely close to me. As fashion designers, sometimes we get to wear our hearts on our sleeves, making personal connection to the causes that are close to us. For me, this collection has been very liberating and fulfilling experience,” reveals the designer.
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Describing breast cancer as a dark subject, Premal says: “When you are designing a collection to pay a tribute to women who have suffered so much, it becomes a very sensitive subject. I wanted to design a collection which makes these women feel confident and sensual. A collection that sees beyond the scars and depression. Designing a collection that tackles the psychological well being of the fighters rather than the physical scars was the most challenging part.”
Colour patterns are interesting and insightful. “This collection is a tribute to every fighter. I want to make women, who are permanently scarred, look good and desirable. It is about their emotional well being. Scars can be hidden, hair can be regrown but they are scarred emotionally. Therefore, the colour palette of hues of pink has been carefully chosen keeping in mind awareness on this disease. The designs have soft and fluid hand-crafted evening drapes with summer hues of dusky pinks, greys and greens on variety of silk weaves textured with mesh which gives sensuality to ensembles.”
Noting that she has been pursuing the Make in India mantra in every collection, Premal says: “All my collections and designs have an Indian touch; I am deeply rooted with my heritage. My production houses are set up in Mumbai and Faridabad. Fabric for all outfits to be shown on runway have been sourced from India. We have been recognised at New York Fashion Week for our exquisite Indian embroidery and craftsmanship. I am proud of showcasing deep links to my Indian roots in every design.”
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Explaining how she will be showcasing a mix of Indian embroidery and American culture, she says: “Sharp contrasts between ancient traditions and uber modernity has always fascinated me. Born in England, growing up in India and settled in the U.S. has given me a huge cultural insight. It has been the key influencer behind my designing technique. So this collection will be a fine balance between exquisite craftmanship of Indian hand embroidery and European inspired pattern on structured American silhouettes. For the first time we have experimented by creating handcrafted 3D embroidery on top of European floral patterns.”
Last time, she had used eco-friendly fabrics in her collection Root Cause. “Inspiration was to raise awareness of the human impact on the environment and to promote social responsibility by adopting sustainable fashion as a lifestyle choice. We need to care about the planet not as a seasonal choice but all year round. Now we are using fabrics of soft pure satin and mesh; they would go well with evening wear.”
The collection will be available in India later this year.
